Still Heading towards Sa Pa

After the Bac Ha markets we drove part way down the hill and then took a short trek down to Trung Do village, which belongs to the Tay minority.  It was very quiet as most people were still at the market.

                                            Approaching the village.

           Plenty of shade on a very hot day.

           Looks like a Queenslander.

       After that we strolled to the River Chay and set off on a cooling boat ride.

          Our guide Dung was lots of fun.

                      Men sand mining on the river.

          The Bao Nhai Bridge.

     Passing again through Lao Cai, we stopped to see the border crossing into China.

After a long and interesting day, we arrived at Sa Pa.  This is the view from our room at the Victoria Hotel.  The town was established as a hill station by the French in 1922.  It overlooks a steep valley and is surrounded by towering mountains.  These include Mount Fanispan, the highest peak in Vietnam.

    View of the Catholic Church, also from our room. 

     The Victoria Sa Pa Hotel was lovely

       The gardens were lush and restful.